Educational Facts about Raccoons

Raccoons are highly intelligent, medium-sized mammals, native to North America. They are a part of the Procyonidae family, and categorized under the Procyon genus. Procyon literally translates to “doglike”; intending to denote the social and physical behaviors of the Procyon Lotor, or raccoon species. They are nocturnal animals that sleep during the day and remain active at night. Raccoons are omnivores, which means they eat everything that a human likes to eat. This includes fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, grains, oats, and more. Although they like to eat these foods, they mostly feed on small animals, insects, and wild vegetation and flora.

Get to Know Raccoons!

Raccoons are very intelligent, as mentioned before; but they are also very intuitive and have excellent memories. This is why raccoons are also known as pests in rural and city areas. They are perfect bandits when it comes to hunting down food and shelter in residential and commercial neighborhoods. They remember where all the good spots are, and how to get the food they want and so desperately need.

Raccoons use their human-like paws to pry open doors, windows, locks, and more. They can gain entry into a home or building in as little as one night. They build nests, breed, and feed their colonies in whichever shelter they find. This can cause a large amount of damage and mess. This is where a professional raccoon control company comes into play. They retain the proper equipment and training to professionally cleanup raccoon messes and provide minor attic or exterior repairs for raccoon damages.

Raccoons are generally medium-sized mammals, but can grow upwards of 40 pounds or more! It all depends on the abundance of food and food sources available to the raccoon, and the environment in which they live. Obviously domesticated raccoons weigh more than wild ones because they have a consistent food source, but wild raccoons can also get large as well. The average raccoon is around three feet tall, or long, and weights between 20 and 30 pounds. One of the largest raccoons was recorded at a weight of 60 pounds!

When it comes to the lifespan of wild raccoons, theories and evidence are inconsistent. A raccoon’s lifespan can vary greatly. It all depends on the resources, environment, and circumstances of the raccoon or its colony. Again, domesticated raccoons are likely to live longer because they have access to veterinary care, food, nutrients, and protection. Wild raccoons, on the other hand, can live long or perish young, depending on the situation. On average, wild raccoons live between 5 and 10 years; whereas, captive raccoons can live up to 20.

If you are experiencing raccoon problems on your property, please keep in mind that they are fascinating and intelligent creatures that just need food and shelter. Instead of harming or loathing them, contact a professional raccoon control company for emergency services. Choose a company that uses safe and humane methods to remove raccoons or stop a raccoon infestation problem, as well as, provide cleanup and prevention services too.

Indiana Raccoon Removal

Call Indiana Raccoon Removal at 317-535-4605 for prompt raccoon control services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. Our highly trained and DNR licensed wildlife removal experts have decades of experience in the raccoon control industry. We use safe and humane methods to extract raccoons and relocate them to a safe and faraway habitat. We offer raccoon cleanup, prevention, emergency services, and much more. Call 317-535-4605 and request a free estimate for Indianapolis raccoon removal and control, today.

Sick Raccoons: If it’s Not Rabies, it’s Probably Distemper

Since raccoons are nocturnal, spotting one out during the day might instantly lead you to believe that it is sick with the Rabies virus. But more often than not, what may initially appear as Rabies is actually another type of viral disease called Canine Distemper. Continue reading to learn how to identify signs of Distemper in raccoons, and what you should do if you ever come across a sick raccoon during the daytime.

Raccoon Distemper

Raccoon Distemper is a highly infectious viral disease that is similar to the measles virus. It’s commonly found in wild raccoons and other nuisance wildlife as well. If you own a cat or dog, then you may be familiar with the Canine Distemper vaccine. This is a common vaccination given to pets every year to boost their immunity to the Distemper virus in case they ever come in contact with it some way or another.

It is spread just like a common cold, by airborne droplets of bodily fluid or discharges (i.e. sneeze, cough, spit, mucus, saliva, blood, feces, etc.). This virus can cause partial paralysis, violent seizures, fevers, vomiting, and more, and can affect both humans and pets. Without vaccinations, pets are unlikely to survive the virus, whereas, humans can be treated and cured. It is strongly suggested to have your pets vaccinated against Rabies, Distemper, Lyme, Leptospirosis, and more. Consider your veterinarian’s advice in terms of annual pet vaccines.

Distemper in Raccoons

If you spot a raccoon out during the day, alone and behaving oddly, then it is very likely that it is sick. Many symptoms of sickness fall into several of the same categories, so what sometimes seems like one illness is actually another. But in terms of Distemper, a raccoon that has been infected with the virus may display the following signs:

• Wet Eyes
• Runny Nose
• Lethargy/Fatigue
• Aggression
• Lack of Ability to Stand or Walk
• Loss of Appetite
• Inactivity
• Confusion
• Diarrhea
• And More

Spotting a Raccoon Nearby

If you happen to come across a raccoon during the day, whether they appear to exhibit signs of sickness or not, always keep your distance and never taunt them. Just because a raccoon is out during the day does not always mean there is something wrong with their health; they may just be lost from their mother, or foraging for food a bit early.

So regardless if a raccoon is sick or not, never attempt to approach or touch a wild raccoon. Instead, turn around and go the other way, or simply wait for the raccoon to wander off. If the raccoon appears sick and is on public property, there is no way to tell if it will move from that spot or not. In this case, as a Good Samaritan, it is polite to notify a raccoon removal company to pick up the sick raccoon so that it cannot indirectly harm another person, child, or pet.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control

Call 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional raccoon removal services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We are highly trained and DNR licensed wildlife control contractors with decades of experience providing safe and humane raccoon exclusion services for residential and commercial properties. We offer raccoon removal, raccoon cleanup, minor attic restorations for raccoon damages, raccoon proofing, and much more. Call 317-535-4605 today for Indianapolis raccoon removal and control you can trust!

Learning About Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira, and can affect a wide variety of mammals, but it tends to be most commonly associated with raccoons in the Midwest parts of the country. Raccoons, like all other mammals, are susceptible to several types of disease, including Rabies, Roundworm, and more. Leptospirosis is commonly contracted and passed on by raccoons, bats, and opossum in urban areas. It is a dangerous illnesses that can be contracted by both humans and pets.

What You Should Know About Leptospirosis

There are nearly 200 cases of Leptospirosis reported every year in the United States. It is mostly contracted through water contaminated by an infected mammal’s urine. It is not spread from person to person, and instead, often happens during swimming, fishing, canoeing, and other water-related activities. The infected water must be ingested, or passed through exposed membranes or open wounds in the skin. This includes the eyes, nose, mouth, scrapes, cuts, scabs, and ears. Once contracted, it is common for humans to not experience illness or symptoms at all, while in other cases, people become very sick. This also applies to domesticated animals. It is vital to get immediate medical care for antibiotics to avoid long-term effects and consequences if you suspect you were exposed to Leptospirosis.

Symptoms

Symptoms can sometimes not show up at all, but if they do, it generally takes anywhere from one to two weeks before symptoms show. Common symptoms include high fever, neck and leg pains, severe headaches, vomiting or diarrhea, and fatigue. For more serious cases of Leptospirosis, signs might also include anemia, Meningitis, kidney failure, liver failure, mental confusions, depression, and more.

The symptoms of Leptospirosis can last for several days, or up to several weeks, depending on the severity of the illness. But mostly, human reports of Leptospirosis illness in the United States are all mild cases. People at higher risks of contracting Leptospirosis include sewer workers, farmers, rice and sugar cane workers, adventure racing athletes, veterinarians, miners, slaughterhouse workers, and animal control contractors. Dogs are at higher risk of dying from Leptospirosis, so take them to the vet as soon as they show influenza-like symptoms.

Indiana Raccoon Removal

Call Indiana Raccoon Removal at 317-535-4605 to professionally manage a raccoon problem near your home or office. We are highly experienced, DNR licensed wildlife rescue contractors that provide wide range of services for raccoon control. This include minor attic restorations and repairs, and raccoon cleanup. And we only use safe and humane, non-lethal methods of raccoon control! Call 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional raccoon removal and control in Indianapolis, IN today.

Do Raccoon Control Companies Repair Animal Damages in Attics?

When raccoons invade residential properties, they usually prefer to inhabit dark areas like attics and crawl spaces. When these critters use a home to take cover from the winter weather, it can easily go unnoticed for months. When this occurs, structural damage to the inhabited area does as well. Continue reading to learn what a raccoon removal company can do for those structural damages, and why their services are so valued.

Raccoon Damages

Raccoons are burrowers, nesters, breeders, and feeders. All this combined activity is a huge contribution to the mess they are capable of creating. The debris and garbage left over from feedings accumulates along with their urine and droppings. Also, raccoons have long claws that they sharpen against walls and drywall. All of this behavior causes a great amount of damage to a property. The buildup of droppings will saturate the drywall and cause weakness and holes in the structure.

Also, the smell will eventually seep into the living spaces of the home, causing a very undesirable and noticeable odor. Electric wiring can be chewed through, and insulation can be ripped down and used as nesting. There are endless ways a raccoon can destroy a home. This type of destruction can be overwhelming, and many homeowners are unsure where to begin the cleaning and repairing process. This is where a professional raccoon control company comes in handy.

Raccoon Clean Up and Repair

A licensed and insured raccoon removal company is highly trained and experienced to cover all aspects of getting rid of raccoons, including structural repair and clean up. Not only will a reputable raccoon control company remove raccoons from your property, they will fix and repair all structural damages incurred during the infestation. They retain all the latest technologies and state-of-the-art equipment to replace, repair, and clean up damages caused by wild raccoons. They will facilitate odor removal, drywall replacement, and more. Be sure to go with a reputable company that is DNR licensed with over ten years of experience. This will ensure you are getting quality work at a reasonable price. They can even work with your home owners’ insurance!

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal

Call Indianapolis Raccoon Removal at 317-535-4605 for raccoon damage repair and attic restoration. We are DNR licensed and insured, with over two decades of experience in the raccoon control industry. We replace attic insulation, clean up raccoon mess, remove existing raccoons, offer preventative maintenance services, and more. Call 317-535-4605 if you have raccoons in the attic in Indianapolis, IN today.

Is Domesticating a Baby Raccoon a Bad Idea?

A baby raccoon is called a kit. They are small, cute, and furry, but this does not mean they are meant for domestication. A kit is still a wild animal. Although domestication may seem easy because they are so young, raccoons are not the same as dogs and cats, which took thousands of years to achieve healthy domestication with. It is not in their genes to be trained and sheltered.

If you still decide to domesticate a baby raccoon, be sure to consult a raccoon professional and learn the proper way to care for a wild raccoon and what to expect as they grow older and more agile. Otherwise, read on to learn more about the disadvantages of domesticating a raccoon kit.

Destruction of Property

Raccoons are interesting because they are such motivated and curious creatures. This can lead to trouble. At a certain age, raccoons begin to explore their curious urges. Raccoons like to dig, and in a house, a sofa or mattress would make the perfect burrowing spot. They are skilled climbers and have very dexterous paws, giving them the ability to open cabinets, drawers, refrigerators, and more. They can find things and hide them, or burry them in another hole they’ve dug. Raccoons must be un-caged to live healthy lives, and must be able to roam free. This means a raccoon would need constant supervision to prevent these situations from happening.

Health Consequences

Raccoons are carriers of many diseases commonly found in wild animals. Illnesses such as rabies, distemper, canine hepatitis, and round worm can be spread to other pets and even humans living among the raccoon. Raccoons also have very dense fur which can be a huge allergy catalyst for anyone who suffers from sinus and allergy issues or asthma.

The Law

The first thing to really consider when in adopting a baby raccoon is the law. In most states, it is illegal to own a raccoon. If caught, a person can lose their pet ownership rights altogether, and be subjected to many hefty fines. In other states, it is legal to own a raccoon, but this type of pet ownership requires an exotic pet license. You will have to look up your local city council ordinances to find out about these laws.

Raccoon Removal Indianapolis

Call Raccoon Removal Indianapolis at 317-535-4605 for professional raccoon control and rescue services. We are DNR licensed raccoon control contractors with decades of experience in the wildlife rescue and control industry. We offer a wide range of raccoon control services, including raccoon removal, raccoon-proofing, raccoon cleanup, minor attic restorations, and more. Call us today at 317-535-4605 to get rid of raccoons in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.

Affordable Solutions to Get Rid of Raccoons in the Attic

Raccoons are interesting, cute, and smart. But this does not mean we want them under our porches and in our attics! These mammals are capable of causing a lot of property destruction and structural damages to residential homes and commercial properties in Indiana. They are widely known to seek shelter and crawl spaces during the winter months. This is another undesirable and even dangerous situation to have on your hands. So what do you do when you have raccoons in the attic or some other area of your home? You call a professional to safely and humanely extract raccoons and relocate them to a protected and faraway habit!

Raccoon Control Services Can Be Fast and Affordable in Indiana!

You might think raccoon control services are pricey and not worth the money-spent; but this couldn’t be further from the truth! Professional raccoon exclusionists are the only ones who retain the proper tools, training, licensing, and experience to perform this duty for property owners. And even better, they can be absolutely affordable! Raccoon damages can be harmful to your health, as well as, jeopardize or decrease the value of your home. This is what makes raccoon control services worth it.

Raccoon Removal Indianapolis

Raccoon Removal Indianapolis provides the most affordable solutions for raccoon control in Indiana. As a locally owned and operated company, they retain the utmost respect for Hoosiers and their communities. This is why they offer the most competitive prices for their raccoon removal and control services! You can trust you are getting the fairest and most honest estimates and assessments from our DNR licensed and insured raccoon control contractors, every time you call. We value our integrity and want to provide effective and affordable animal control for all residential and commercial properties across Indy. Not only do we serve the Indianapolis areas, we also provide raccoon control for all surrounding counties as well. Call 317-535-4605 to learn more about our fantastic raccoon removal prices in Indianapolis, IN today!

3 Signs You Have Raccoons in the Attic

No one wants their most-prized and most expensive asset constantly compromised by nuisance wildlife. This is why raccoons can cause homeowners immense frustration. They love to take shelter in parts of the home that we don’t frequently occupy; for example, the attic. This is their favorite space to convert into their personal bedroom, bathroom, breeding ground, feeding table, and trashcan. This leads to unimaginable destruction that costs hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair.

The problem is, raccoons are smart. It takes more than a little traditional pest control to fend off wild raccoons. It takes knowledge and understanding of their species to truly master raccoon-proofing and prevention. Continue reading to learn a few of these strategies, and the top three signs indicating you have raccoons in the attic.

Strange Noises

If you are hearing strange noises at all hours of the night that seem to come from your attic, you may have a raccoon colony living up there. Listen for squeaky, high-pitched sounds, scratching noises, and banging. These are tell-tale sounds raccoons make when they are playing, feeding, or nesting. Although raccoons are nocturnal, these sounds may be evident during the daytime hours as well. If you suspect there are raccoons living in your attic or other area of your home, contact a licensed raccoon removal contractor for safe and humane assistance.

Wall and Ceiling Stains

If you start to notice brown-ish, yellow-ish, or off-white stains on your walls or ceilings, it could be an indication of raccoons in the attic. When raccoon colonies live in attics, their urine and feces soaks into baseboards and drywall, and eventually seeps down though ceilings and walls in the exposed areas of a home. Once this occurs, renovations are costly. This is usually a result of long-term raccoon infestations in homes or buildings. Because raccoon droppings can contain harmful contagions and cause disease, it is strongly suggested to have a professional company implement the renovation and cleanup services needed for your home in the case that this happens to you.

Foul Odor

If you start to smell a faint, or maybe not-so-faint, odor in certain areas of your home, it could be a sign that raccoons are somewhere living in your property. After some time, a raccoon colony generates a large quantity of waste that is never cleaned out or managed. This waste consists of their urine, feces, decayed food, birthing debris, and much more. The odor becomes so strong that it begins to seep into the living areas of a home. It requires professional service to remove the damages and mess made from a long-term raccoon infestation like this.

Indiana Raccoon Removal

Call Indiana Raccoon Removal at 317-535-4605 for licensed raccoon removal and control in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed and insured raccoon control specialists with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. We only use safe and humane methods to extract raccoons and prevent their return. We offer free estimates, residential services, commercial services, emergency services, and raccoon cleanup services. Call 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional raccoon removal services in Indianapolis, IN today.

How to Protect Your Property From Nuisance Raccoons

Raccoons are a widely prevalent species of mammal in regions with ample forestry and woodlands, as well as, city urban areas, suburbia, and more. They are very intelligent creatures, with the keen capacity to remember, learn, implement, and survive at all costs. This is why they have become a nuisance pest problem for many home and property owners. Smart raccoons learn and remember places with good food and shelter resources, and also learn and implement how to access these areas. For this, and more, raccoons are more and more a problem for home and property owners. They gain entry into attics through loose roof shingles, broken windows, cracks, crevices, and gaps in siding. They use their nimble and dexterous paws to pry open doors and locks, and make their way into crawl spaces, walls, attics, porches, sheds, garages, and more.

Raccoons cause structural damages to a home and surrounding property, leading to costly repairs and renovations. They use attic insulation to build nests where they breed their young. Breeding leftovers, eating leftovers, and droppings leave behind a mess that will shock you. The odor is strong and distinct, and can linger into the living quarters of a home. Drywall is soiled and wet, which means it is probably also moldy. All of this is also dangerous to our respiratory health.

Airborne spores from infected raccoon droppings, for example, can cause illnesses in humans within the home. Many more health consequences can occur from a raccoon infestation as well; such as rabies virus, Histoplasmosis, allergies, and more. Structural damages and health threats are not the only mischievousness raccoons are capable of. They can also steal food straight from our cabinets, shelves, and even pantries! Leaving behind nothing but ripped open cereal boxes and empty cartons of juice all over the floor and countertops!

Raccoon Removal and Control

So how do people prevent raccoons from trespassing onto their properties? Is this feat even possible? How can I protect my home from wild raccoons? These are common and apposite questions that most certainly come with an answer that makes sense to everyone! Here are some expert tips for protecting your property and home from nuisance wildlife, and who to call for trusted service and professional advice:

• Do Not Leave Pet Food or Pet Dishes Outside
• Install Automatic Sprinklers or Outdoor Lighting
• Take Garbage to the Curb on the Morning of Trash Day
• Remove Squirrel and Bird Feeders
• Implement Needed Interior and Exterior Renovations (i.e. sealing, insulation, siding repair, roof replacement, etc.)
• Install Door and Window Locks
• Purchase an Outdoor Sound Machine
• Hire a Licensed Raccoon Control Contractor to Inspect and Raccoon-Proof Your Home

These messy mammals have become a nuisance in many populated regions of the country; however, raccoons are wonderful creatures that deserve a right to live and thrive. No one should ever trap, harm, or kill a raccoon unless they have proper licensing to do so. If you find a raccoon colony in your home, or an injured raccoon in your yard, contact an Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control contractor right away for prompt, safe, and humane service.

Indiana Raccoon Removal

Call 317-535-4605 for licensed raccoon removal and control in Indianapolis, Indiana. At Indiana Raccoon Removal, our highly trained and DNR licensed animal control contractors retain the latest technologies and advanced equipment to safely and humanely extract raccoons from residential and commercial settings. We also provide a wide range of additional raccoon removal services, such as raccoon cleanup, minor restorations and repair, raccoon-proofing, inspections, free estimates, and more. Call 317-535-4605 for prompt, humane, and professional raccoon removal services in Indianapolis, IN.

Raccoon Removal Indianapolis Can Eliminate Your Raccoon Problem Today!

Don’t Let Another Nuisance Raccoon Make Another Mess of Your Indianapolis Property!

Now that the weather is starting to turn, you can expect wild animals to start looking for long-term shelter from the changing climates. Animals like bats and raccoons are known for using residential and commercial properties as means of shelter from the cold. When this happens, you need a licensed raccoon control company to eliminate your raccoon problems before they lead to costly repairs and messes!

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal retains the latest technologies and advanced equipment to diagnose and treat any raccoon infestation or problem a property owner may have. We are highly trained and DNR licensed animal control contractors that have specialized in raccoon removal for more than 30 years. We know exactly how these mammals operate, and can quickly identify signs of an infestation, or a colony’s whereabouts. We never harm or kill raccoons; we simple trap or extract them and apply preventative maintenance and animal-proofing strategies. We also offer advice and knowledge on how to prevent nuisance animal problems in residential and commercial areas.

When you need fast and effective raccoon control services in Indianapolis, we are the professionals that offer the right solutions at the right price! When you call our company, you can expect a prompt and friendly hello from a DNR licensed raccoon control contractor that will discuss your raccoon problems and set up a consultation at a time that convenient for you. We always show up on-time, neatly dressed, and fully equipped to carry out services if need be. We provide a wide range of services on top of raccoon removal; including the following:

• Raccoon Control
• Raccoon-Proofing
• Raccoon Clean-Up
• Minor Attic Restorations
• Preventative Maintenance
• Damage Repair
• Odor Removal
• Free Estimates
• Emergency Services
• And More

Trust our professionals to provide punctual and effective raccoon removal services when you need them most. Consider an in-home inspection at the start of the fall to ensure your home is pest-free and free of vulnerable spots and openings that wild animals use to gain access inside. By fixing these problems now, you can prevent structural damages and messy raccoon infestations.

Get Rid of Raccoons

Call Indianapolis Raccoon Removal at 317-535-4605 to get rid of raccoons for good in Indiana. We offer a wide range of raccoon control services for both residential and commercial properties. Our prices are the most competitive in town and our services are compatible with most homeowners’ insurance policies. Call 317-535-4605 and speak with a friendly and knowledgeable raccoon removal specialist in Indianapolis, IN today.

What are the Dangers of Wild Raccoon Encounters?

Wild raccoons are beautiful, intelligent, and fascinating creatures in nature; however, they can be dangerous threats for homes, pets, people, gardens, and more. There are several DIY methods, as well as professional methods, to keep raccoons off your property. It is encouraged to secure all areas of a home; including loose roof shingles, cracks and crevices in the exterior of a home, porches, decks, patios, garages, sheds, and more. By fastening windows and doors, sealing all potential openings, and repairing any vulnerable areas on the exterior of a home can quickly thwart raccoon infestations.

It is also helpful to remove pet and animal food from outside because this is a free meal for raccoons. They will certainly remember who leaves easy meals out on their porch and will return night after night to feed. Think about removing outdoor garbage cans as well. This is like an all-you-can-eat buffet for wild animals. Instead, take the trashcans out the DAY OF trash day to avoid a huge mess in your driveway the next day. By doing all of these tasks, plus calling a licensed raccoon control specialist for professional raccoon proofing, you can prevent raccoon encounters altogether!

Raccoon Dangers

One of the most prevalent dangers of raccoons and other wild animals is Rabies. Not all raccoons have rabies, but many carry the virus and can spread it through their fecal matter, blood, and saliva. Rabies is a deadly virus that is not treatable; so we do not ever want to come into contact with an animal that might have it. If our pets contract the disease, they have to be put down immediately before they suffer further. Keeping raccoons away from your property is the best bet for protecting your dogs and cats. It can protect your children and family as well. Many people stumble across baby raccoons that have been lost or stranded from their mother.

Although baby raccoons are about the cutest thing you’ll ever see, NEVER touch one or attempt to “save it” in anyway. For one, it could be infected and cause you or your pets to catch a disease; and two, if the mother smells a human scent on their baby, they will not care for it any longer and abandon it. Always call a licensed Indianapolis raccoon removal company for safe and humane raccoon control services. Not only do raccoons carry communicable diseases, they can also fiercely attack or bite in self-defense. This is how diseases are contracted, and their long thick fangs can be extremely painful to skin.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal

Call 317-535-4605 for licensed Indianapolis raccoon removal services and more if you have raccoon problems near or on your property. We are highly trained and DNR licensed animal control technicians that have specialized in safe and humane raccoon removal for more than 30 years. We offer free estimates, advice, emergency services, cleanup, minor attic and crawl space restorations, raccoon-proofing, and much more. Call us today at 317-535-4605 for more information about our raccoon removal services in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.